gww>Fossilized Ecto: Added details around this bug after doing some play testing

2026-09-08T23:30:27Z

Added details around this bug after doing some play testing

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{{Quest infobox
| name = Duel of the Houses
| map = [[File:Duel of the Houses Map.jpeg|200px|Duel of the Houses - Map]]
| campaign = Factions
| region = Echovald Forest
| type = Secondary
| repeatable = y
| given by = [[Duel Master Vaughn]]
| given at = [[Drazach Thicket]]
}}
Obtained from [[Duel Master Vaughn]] in [[Drazach Thicket]] outside the north exit of [[Brauer Academy]].

==Quest information==
===Objectives===
* Travel to the dueling grounds.
* Defeat the Kurzick House in an honorable duel.
* See Duel Master Vaughn for your reward.

===Reward===
* 2,000 [[Experience]]
* 400 [[Kurzick Faction]]
* 150 [[Gold]]

==Walkthrough==
After obtaining the quest just outside of [[Brauer Academy]](1), follow the path north. [[Duel Master Vaughn]] will make his own, albeit slow, way up to the dueling grounds but you can just head off on your own. There are two groups of [[Warden]]s that can drift into your path; either defeat them or wait until they're out of aggro range and make your way past. There are also a few, seemingly random, [[Oni]] spawn points, spawning either a lone or 3-strong group of Oni. It is best to hug the wall as you make your way to the dueling grounds so as not to aggro the Wardens and Oni simultaneously. You can also opt to take the blessing from the priest for 100 gold, completing the quest will yield 150 gold and all slain NPCs will gain you more faction points.

Once you reach the dueling grounds(2) continue to hug the wall round and plant [[Frozen Soil]] if you have it. Try not to place it too close to the opposing team as they will destroy it if they get too close. When you're ready approach the quest marker and everyone will turn hostile. Note that Duel Master Vaughn is completely irrelevant at this point. It is actually possible to complete the duel before he announces that the duel has started. Approach when you're ready.

The opposing team will be wandering around aimlessly until you approach. When you get close enough they will turn hostile and will bunch together. The team you face is determined randomly. You face either:
*House Brauer, led by the [[mesmer]] [[Count Archek Brauer|Lord Brauer]].
*House Durheim, led by the [[necromancer]] [[Count Durheim]].
*House Lutgardis, led by the [[ranger]] [[Duke Holtz Lutgardis|Lord Lutgardis]].
*House Vasburg, led by the [[warrior]] [[Baroness Attia Vasburg|Baroness Vasburg]].
The first two, Brauer and Durheim, are somewhat similar to fight. They both deal a reasonable amount of damage and their [[elementalist]]s cast [[Unsteady Ground]] which should be avoided. Being purely spell-casters they clump together rendering [[AoE]] spells such as [[Firestorm]] and [[Meteor Shower]] highly effective (making [[Cynn]] come in handy). Be careful if you're facing Count Durheim as his double damage (see notes) [[Defile Enchantments]] can be devastating, especially in concert with [[Unsteady Ground]].

House Lutgardis isn't too problematic as you don't have to rely on your [[henchmen]] scattering effectively from [[AoE]] spells. The majority of the team bunch together so, again, AoE spells will come in handy. Due to [[rangers]] having inherently better armor against elemental damage it may be worth taking spells such as [[Spiteful Spirit]] and [[Reckless Haste]] as well. The team isn't as fragile as Brauer's and Durheim's so you may need to reapply Frozen Soil. Remember to do it a small distance away from the battle to prevent it being destroyed.

House Vasburg is composed chiefly of melee characters so spells such as [[Ward Against Melee]] could prove useful. The team clumps together around your team so if everyone remains still AoE spells can again prove effective. However, the AI for henchmen and heroes may cause them to run around your group, resulting in it being difficult to keep enemies in the AoE. Spells such as [[Spiteful Spirit]] are especially useful. This battle is likely to be slightly longer so, again, remember to replant Frozen Soil far enough away to stop it being attacked.

More generally, always target the [[Monk]] first (see [[Kurzick Duelist]] for a guide to identifying the profession of each duelist). An [[interrupt]]er will make the duel easier as the Monks are very effective, carrying [[Word of Healing]]. It's also best to take out the team before the House leader as, being technically a separate party, they can't [[resurrection|resurrect]] their 'team' mates.

If you are having trouble defeating one particular group you can use the alt key to ascertain which House you are facing as you run down the hill past the first set of [[Warden]]s. If it is not to your liking you can simply [[zone|re-zone]].

After the battle speak to [[Duel Master Vaughn]] to receive your reward. Then if you are [[farming]] faction simply map back to [[Brauer Academy]] and start again.

===Teams===
*[[House Brauer Duelist]]s
:A team of three [[mesmer]]s including [[Count Archek Brauer|Lord Brauer]], three [[elementalist]]s and two [[monk]]s.
*[[House Durheim Duelist]]s
:A team of four [[necromancer]]s including [[Count Durheim]], two elementalists and two monks. They have strong anti-melee skills and spiking capability.
*[[House Lutgardis Duelist]]s
:A team of five [[ranger]]s including [[Duke Holtz Lutgardis|Lord Lutgardis]], two monks and one [[ritualist]].
*[[House Vasburg Duelist]]s
:A melee-oriented team of three [[warrior]]s including [[Baroness Attia Vasburg|Baroness Vasburg]], three [[assassin]]s, and two monks.

==Dialogue==
===Initial dialogue===
;Duel Master Vaughn
:''"Duels have long been a part of the Kurzick life, though these days they are used primarily as a method of training for battle against the Luxons. Today, one of our '''Kurzick Houses''' has come forth to challenge you that you both might be bettered prepared when the time comes to face the Luxons in combat. Do you accept the challenge they have set forth?"''
{{Offer dialog
| accept = For the noble purpose of defeating the Luxons, I accept their challenge.
| decline = I'm not ready for a duel of this magnitude.
| ask = It is dishonorable to back out of duel once you have accepted. Begin the '''duel''' with the '''Kurzick house''' immediately, or they will be declared the victors by default.
|indent = :: }}

===Intermediate dialogue===
:'''Duel Master Vaughn:''' ''"From the earliest days of Saint Viktor, our people have long held duels...for honor, for pride, for training, and to resolve conflicts between the five Houses."''
:'''Duel Master Vaughn:''' ''"This day, we relive our great tradition once more, in the noblest form of competition: the duel. Combatants, this duel shall be fought fairly and honorably. Non-compliance will dishonor the Houses of those involved."''
:'''Duel Master Vaughn:''' ''"We give thanks to the gods for their many blessings, and we ask Balthazar to give our combatants courage, strength, and honor."''
:'''Duel Master Vaughn:''' ''"Combatants, weapons at the ready! Pay your opponent your respects, and then, prepare for battle."''
:'''Duel Master Vaughn:''' ''"The duel now begins. Fight with honor for the name of your House and your people!"''

===Reward dialogue===
;Duel Master Vaughn
:''"You have fought honorably today, and you should be proud of your victory. But do not forget that all of us have won today.... The combat experience you have all gained will help us triumph over those barbaric Luxons when the final battle is upon us."''

==Notes==
*Although they are not technically bosses, the attacks and skills of the teams leaders inflict double damage.
*The team leaders are not part of the same [[party]] as the rest of the teams, so they can be [[pull]]ed separately.
*The professions of the duelists can be identified by their appearance.
*The Duelists carry resurrection signets. Bringing a skill such as [[Frozen Soil]] will help.
*This run can be completed in 2-3 minutes with a meta hero team.
{| {{STDT}} align="center"
|-
! Faction gain !! Per run !! Per hour
|-
| without blessing ||400 || 12,000
|-
| normal mode w/blessing ||440 || 13,200
|-
| hard mode w/blessing ||480 || 14,400
|}
{{Bug|The duel won't start if you kill Lord Brauer too fast. The duel may start afterwards. You can reduce the likelihood of this bug by ensuring [[Duel Master Vaughn]] reaches the training grounds, and stops moving, before you enter the training grounds. You can use [[Incoming]] or [[Fall back]] to help speed up Duel Master Vaughn to his destination.}}
{{Bug|Rarely, the enemy team won't spawn at all and the reward can immediately be collected.}}

==See also==
* [[The Jade Arena]] for the Luxon equivalent of this quest.

[[Category:Rewards Kurzick faction]]
[[Category:Quests useful for farming]]

Duel of the Houses - Revision history

gww>Fossilized Ecto: Added details around this bug after doing some play testing